Remembering Mickey Lolich: The Unlikely Hero of the 1968 World Series

DETROIT — Baseball fans and the sporting world are mourning the loss of Mickey Lolich, a remarkable pitcher known for his exceptional performance during the 1968 World Series. Lolich, who was 85 years old, passed away recently following a brief time in hospice care, as conveyed by his wife to the Detroit Tigers. Although the specific cause of death was not disclosed, his contributions to baseball remain memorable.

While Denny McLain dominated the Detroit Tigers’ pitching roster in 1968 with an impressive 31 regular-season wins, it was Lolich who emerged as the hero of the World Series. Pitching three complete-game victories against the St. Louis Cardinals, he was rightfully named the Most Valuable Player. His remarkable earned run average (ERA) of 1.67 underscored his stellar performance, including a pivotal Game 7 victory over Bob Gibson.

“It was always somebody else, but my day had finally come,” Lolich reflected during a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press.

The iconic image of Lolich leaping into catcher Bill Freehan’s arms after securing the final out has been forever etched into Detroit’s sports history. As Hall of Fame moments go, Lolich’s 2,832 career strikeouts place him at 23rd overall, a testament to his exceptional skill, especially among left-handed pitchers.

An unexpected hero in 1968, Lolich had faced challenges leading up to the World Series. Manager Mayo Smith had temporarily assigned him to the bullpen during August, but Lolich returned to the starting rotation with a vengeance, recording a 6-1 record in the regular season’s final weeks. His determination and persistence proved crucial during the World Series, where he famously pitched Game 7 on just two days’ rest.

Although he anticipated a Corvette from General Motors for his MVP performance, Lolich humorously recounted in his book “Joy in Tigertown” that he ended up with a Dodge Charger GT, courtesy of Chrysler, who sponsored the event.

Since Lolich’s feat in 1968, only Arizona’s Randy Johnson has managed to win three games in a World Series, achieving this in 2001. However, Johnson’s performance included fewer innings and a relief appearance in Game 7 compared to Lolich’s starting role.

Spanning a 16-year career, mostly with the Tigers, Lolich’s record stood at 220-192, including playoffs. After a stint with the New York Mets in 1976, he briefly retired before returning to the mound with the San Diego Padres in 1978-79.

In 2018, Lolich had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch during a Tigers game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His remarkable 1971 season saw him achieve a 25-14 record, 308 strikeouts, and a runner-up finish in AL Cy Young award voting.

Beyond baseball, Lolich found success in a different field by transitioning to the doughnut business in suburban Detroit for 18 years. Reflecting on this unique career move, he wryly noted in his book, “I doubt any other ballplayer has ever made that transition — from the diamond to doughnuts. But I did.”

In a heartfelt statement, the Detroit Tigers extended their condolences to the Lolich family, honoring his contributions and legacy, which, they noted, “will forever be cherished.”